[MLS] Major League Soccer average attendance declined 2.6 percent in 2009, but it could have been a lot worse. Without the expansion Seattle Sounders, who set an MLS record with an average attendance of 30,897 fans a game, MLS average attendance would have been down 9 percent. Read the whole story

[MLS] In a season rife with memorable scenes from Qwest Field, a tiny tableaux just after the final whistle Saturday set off the last regular-season game just about right. Minority investor and extremely funny guy Drew Carey, swathed in a scarf, roamed across the field, and spotted majority investor and ... Read the whole story

[MLS] FC Dallas will not renew the contract of General Manager Michael Hitchcock and will not fill his position. Instead, FCD will hire a technical director to assist Head Coach Schellas Hyndman in day-to-day soccer operations. Hunt Sports Group President John Wagner will continue to oversee the business side of ... Read the whole story

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Brad Friedel's understudy Brad Guzan made the most of a rare appearance for Aston Villa, saving one penalty kick in regulation time and three PKs in the tiebreaker in a win over Sunderland that sends Villa to the English League Cup quarterfinals. In Scotland, DaMarcus Beasley saw his ... Read the whole story

[AMERICAN ABROAD] Goalie Chris Konopka was in the nets for Irish First Division (second level) club Sporting Fingal FC Sunday in its 4-2 win over Premier Division Bray Wanderers that sent it to the final of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Cup Nov. 22. Read the whole story

[MLS] The MLS playoffs will begin Thursday when the Seattle Sounders FC host the Houston Dynamo (TV: ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, live, 10 pm ET). Of the 11 games, 10 will be available on national television -- five on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, three on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox ... Read the whole story

"He was excellent. No one's more euphoric than Mr. Guzan. His was a fabulous, fantastic performance. He's got everything and he's as brave as they come. [Brad] Friedel has been terrific for us but Guzan was immense tonight. I can't remember the last time a keeper saved four penalties but, by the end, I was almost expecting him to save them." -- Aston Villa coach Martin O'Neill on 25-year-old American goalkeeper Brad Guzan after an English League Cup win over Sunderland. (The Guardian) ...More